This is a simple, but delicious, recipe I got from a friend and tweaked a bit. It makes a huge salad, perfect for sharing! The last time I made it, I served it at a dinner for six, plus had enough leftovers for lunch for hubby and I the next two days.

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Kale & Quinoa Salad

1 bunch of kale, washed and chopped

1 cup of quinoa, cooked in 2 cups of chicken broth

½ cup dried cranberries

½ cup sunflower seeds

1 pkg. shredded Feta cheese

¼ cup parmesan cheese

 

Dressing (I always double this)

2 tbsp. lemon juice

3 tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 clove garlic, minced

Pinch of pepper & salt

 

Directions:

1. Cook the quinoa and chill.

2. Toss kale, quinoa, cranberries, sunflower seeds and cheese in a large bowl.

3. Whisk together dressing ingredients and pour over salad. Toss to coat.

Unemployed and running out of resources, Sophie LaPlante is desperate for a job, when the perfect one appears before her. A wealthy couple from Hedon Falls requires a live-in housekeeper, and Sophie is just what they’re looking for.

Jack Sullivan, a powerful CEO and Dom, is married to actress Kendra Hughes. He immediately senses submissive tendencies in his new housekeeper. His wife can never be the sub he needs, so while Kendra is away on a film shoot, he begins to train Sophie. When Kendra returns, she joins the training to explore her own Dominant desires. While their sessions were not intended to involve sex, they find themselves fighting a losing battle against their mutual attraction.

The three of them are caught up in a web of lust, guilt, and infidelity, all complicated by an ex-boyfriend who can’t leave Sophie alone.

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http://michellegrahameroticromance.blogspot.ca

Charlotte Dixon, the heroine of One Night of Misbehavior, is in charge of household management. She is, after all, the Cinderella in this modern fairy tale. She bakes bread, cupcakes and cookies for her stepmother and stepsisters. Today I’m sharing her recipe for White Chocolate & Ginger Cookies.

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White Chocolate & Ginger Cookies

125g/4 oz butter, softened

125g/4 oz caster sugar

1 egg

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

125g/4 oz porridge oats (oatmeal in US)

150g/5 oz plain flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

175g/6 oz white chocolate, chopped into small pieces

Handful crystallized ginger diced

Beat the butter and sugar in a bowl until creamy. Add the egg, vanilla, oats, chocolate and ginger then add the flour and baking powder. Combine together.

Place dessertspoonfuls of mixture on a greased baking tray and flatten slightly. Bake in a pre-heated oven 180C (350F) Gas Mark 4 for about 15 minutes until risen and golden. Leave to cool on the tray for five minutes then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Shelley’s notes:

1. I vary the contents and add dried cranberries, raisins, chopped nuts, sunflower seeds as the mood strikes.

2. If you prefer milk or dark chocolate use that instead of the white chocolate.

He wears his scars on the outside. She keeps hers safe inside.

Charlotte Dixon ignores her stepmother’s edict and, in an act of disobedience, attends one of the social events of the year—a masquerade costume ball. Charlotte’s naughtiness escalates when she dances and smooches with a sexy mystery man. The night of anonymous passion that follows makes her yearn for a different life, but the next day she’s back to her dull routine of household management.

Advertising tycoon, Ash Marlborough is about to set a private investigator on the trail of his nameless princess when she waltzes right into his place of work. Charlotte is shocked to meet her masked man in the flesh, and even more perturbed when he asks her out on a date. Despite craving another night of sexy loving, she doesn’t have time for a man, not when she wants to reinvent herself and grasp a new, improved life with both hands. But Ash knows what he wants, and he’s determined to win the heart of his princess. Let the dance of seduction commence.

Warning: Contains a conniving stepmother, selfish stepsisters, a grandmother with fairy godmother tendencies and a sexy masked man who is willing to face them all for the love of a good woman.

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http://www.shelleymunro.com

This is a can’t-get-enough-of-it dish that will quickly become your fav summer dish. Make ahead and bring it out at dinnertime! I changed the recipe to lower fat ingredients, and it tastes as great as the original. My mouth’s watering already.

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Yummy Parmesan Veggie Salad

2 c cauliflower

2 c broccoli

¼ c white onion

1 c chopped pecans

4 slices turkey bacon

1 c fat free mayonnaise

¼ c low fat parmesan cheese

2 Tbsp sugar

¼ tsp basil

¼ tsp salt

2 c romaine lettuce, chopped

Cut the cauliflower and broccoli flowerets into bite site pieces. Rinse and blanch in the microwave for a minute.

Mince the onion. Cook it in the microwave for a minute.

Toast the pecans for 10 min in a 325 oven.

Chop the turkey bacon before cooking. Set aside.

Mix cauliflower, broccoli, onion, and pecans in a large bowl. Set aside. Mix mayo, parmesan cheese, sugar, dried basil and salt in a small bowl, then add to veggies in the large bowl.

Add romaine to the sides of a serving dish. Heap the coated veggies in the middle and top with bacon. Can be made ahead of time and refrigerated – but wait on the bacon until you’re ready to serve the dish.

Heading to a Pot Luck or a Church Social? This recipe doubles easily for crowds.

Something evil lurks in this town of secrets.

Solving Mossy Bog’s first fire fatality could net police officer Laurie Ann Dinterman the promotion she desperately wants. When the state arson investigator arrives to take over the case, Laurie Ann is assigned to give the man everything he needs while keeping him alive. The fact he’s the sexiest man ever to hit town shouldn’t make a difference.

Hot on the trail of a serial arsonist, Wyatt North demands justice for his partner, the arsonist’s first victim. He’ll find the murderer or die trying—no matter how distracting the tall, lithe figure of his local partner is.

As the investigation zeroes in on a suspect uncomfortably close to Laurie Ann’s life, her cop instincts conflict with her feelings for Wyatt. Worse, the arsonist will do anything to protect his identity.

Can Laurie Ann accept the truth in time…or will she and Wyatt go up in flames?

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http://www.maggietoussaint.com

A neighbor from our very first house, years ago, gave me this recipe, but I can’t for the life of me remember her name. It’s become a go-to recipe because it’s quick to put together, it tastes great, and it never fails--and it’s fast to cook.

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Dijon Mustard & Melted Butter (I use a bit more dijon than butter...)

Parmesan cheese (the shake type)

Seasoned breadcrumbs (I like Panko, because of the crunch)

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

Spray bottom of casserole or cake pan with Pam. Dip tops of chicken in dijon/butter mix, then into cheese and breadcrumbs. Place bare side down in pan. Bake for 15 minutes.

 

Haunted by a tragic accident 20 years ago, John Everest knows he doesn't deserve a family of his own, so he spends his days building the most successful fitness franchise in Seattle...and his nights alone. But that all changes when Samantha Rossi storms back into his life.

Happily single, Samantha feels there are only two types of men in this world: those who are good for nothing and those who are good for one thing. Now she needs that one thing desperately, because she wants a baby. John, a man from her past, is the perfect donor. He doesn't want children. He doesn't want a wife. He just wants her body. She can deal with that.

John agrees to Samantha's no-strings-attached proposal, never expecting to fall for the fiery beauty he'd wronged so many years ago. It'll take more than a shameless proposal to overcome their tragic past, but with a little luck and forgiveness, anything is possible

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http://rebeccajclark.com

Summertime is a great time for seafood, and shrimp is the seafood I love best. While the recipe calls for the shrimp to be cooked on the stove, I like to use the grill so this can be enjoyed outdoors too!

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Shrimp Scampi

1 1/2 pound jumbo shrimp, shelled and deveined
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 cup dry white vermouth
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Directions
Put the shrimp on a large pie pan or plate and pat them completely dry with a paper towel. Arrange the shrimp so they lay flat and are evenly spaced.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Add the butter to the skillet. When the foaming subsides, raise the heat to high, and invert the plate of shrimp over the pan so the shrimp fall into the pan all at once. Cook the shrimp, without moving them, for 1 minute.

Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Turn the shrimp over and cook for 2 minutes more. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl.
Return the skillet to the heat and pour in the vermouth and lemon juice. Boil the liquid until slightly thickened, about 30 seconds. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Stir the zest and parsley into the sauce. Pour the sauce over the shrimp, season with salt and pepper to taste and toss to combine.

Divide the shrimp among 4 plates or arrange on a platter and serve.

I am everything you fear. I am vampire.

As the two Sons chosen to decipher the Prophecy of Idolas, Ramiel and Thane journey to find the key to defeating the Archons. Together with Noele, a born vampire, they confront their fates as they fulfill their duty to their world. Along the way, they'll find love, but death and betrayal lurk in the shadows, threatening everything dear to them.

Descended from the gods and warriors all, each Son's loyalty will be tested. Every action has consequences, and the choices they make now seal their fates. Alliances as old as the vampire world itself are reforged, and the Sons' duty is clear. Stop the Archons. Or die trying.

How’s this for an idyllic summertime romance? My husband likes to grow vegetables, and I love eating them. This is one of my favorite dishes, partly because I can use the fresh tomatoes and garlic from our (his) garden. I can’t claim credit for the recipe, but I can for the tweaks! Another plus is that it’s ready in thirty minutes.

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California Chicken Spaghetti

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked angel hair pasta

3 tablespoons olive oil

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (cut into strips)

2 tablespoons chopped, fresh garlic

3-4 tablespoons Creole seasoning (original recipe calls for 2 tablespoons Cajun-style blackened seasoning and 2 tablespoons basil)

sat and pepper to taste

3 or 4 fresh tomatoes with skin removed (original recipe calls for 10 diced roma tomatoes)

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 5-8 minutes or until al dente. Drain.

Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Coat chicken pieces in Creole seasoning. Add fresh garlic and chicken pieces to skillet until browned on the outside.

Mix in the tomatoes. (I remove tomato skin by dipping briefly in boiling water, than peeling). Cook until tomatoes are semi soft and chicken is cooked through.

Toss with pasta and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top. Delicious!

Dead Ringers 1: Illusion

An Original Publication. This is a 25,000-word novelette for the ebook market that is the first volume of a nine-volume New Adult serial with mystery, romance and missing memories.

Do you know who your friends are?

Jade Greene remembers nothing from the time she went missing except a blinding headache and an evil clown with a syringe. Not exactly the stuff to convince others of your sanity.

Nobody at the summer carnival believes Jade was even in danger except her secretive co-worker Max Harper. Max offers to help Jade solve the mystery, but he’s sidetracked by the case of a Black Widow.

When Jade and Max stumble across a body on the beach, only two things are certain. People in town aren’t who they seem. And things for Jade are about to get much, much worse.

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www.darlenegardner.com

BBQ season is upon us, and to me, there’s nothing better than throwing some marinated chicken on the grill. The recipe that follows can also be cooked in the oven (under the broiler) and served on tortillas, but there are so many different variations, it’s amazing!

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Southwestern Marinated Chicken
½ cup lime juice 6 tablespoons soy sauce (I use reduced sodium)
2 tbsp dark brown sugar (or 1 tbsp molasses)
2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano (fresh makes ALL the difference in this!)
2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
2 tbsp chopped/minced fresh garlic
1 tbsp chili powder
1 ½ tsp chipotle chili powder
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• Combine first eight ingredients, whisk to blend. Pop chicken in and push down until chicken is covered. Marinate at least 6-8 hours. 
• Either grill outside OR on broil on foil-covered baking sheet in oven 
• Take remaining marinade and cook down, using a mixture of corn starch and water to thicken (or your thickening agent of choice). 
• Multiple ways to serve: 
• By itself 
• On tortillas, with toppings of choice (I use avocado, sour cream, pepper jack cheese, shredded lettuce and the marinade reduction) 
• On a bed of lettuce, with ingredients of choice, using marinade reduction as dressing 
• On a Kaiser roll, with pepper jack cheese, mayo & toppings of choice.

Charly Davis has clawed her way to the job she’s wanted all her life, arson investigator, despite the rumors and innuendo surrounding her somewhat adventurous sexual preferences. When the man she suspects of spreading the rumors, the one man who claimed her heart, returns, can she forgive him and solve the biggest case of her career?

Nate Andrews has never forgotten Charly, and after eight years in the Air Force, he’s ready to claim the love he fled from all those years ago. He was a scared boy then, but now he’s determined to win back the one woman whose passion equaled his own--Charly.

However, the arsonist plaguing Ludington has other ideas and may very well hold the two lovers’ lives in the palm of a single, scorched hand.

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Website

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In the spirit of my novel, The Count’s Last Mistress, which is set in France, I’m posting a popular French salad as one of my favorite recipes.

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Salad Niçoise:

Vinaigrette

½ cup lemon juice

¾ cup olive oil

1 medium shallot, minced

1 Tbsp minced fresh thyme leaves

2 Tbsp minced fresh basil leaves

2 teaspons minced fresh oregano leaves

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

salt and freshly ground black pepper

Salad

2 tuna steaks, marinated in olive oil and grilled

6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and quartered

10 small new red potatoes, scrubbed, quartered, and boiled

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Boston lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces

10 cherry tomatoes

1 small red onion, sliced thin

8 ounces green beans, trimmed, halved crosswise, and boiled until tender

1/3 cup niçoise olives

1 Tbsp capers, rinsed and/or several anchovies (optional)

1. Whisk vinaigrette.

2. Toss potatoes with some of the vinaigrette.

3. Toss lettuce, tomatoes, onions and green beans with some of the vinaigrette until coated. Arrange ingredients in a mound.

4. Place sliced tuna, hard-boiled eggs, olives, anchovies and/or capers on top. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and serve immediately.

Paris, 1871. In the aftermath of war and revolution, cavalry officer Olivier Valencourt, the comte de Chaumenay, only wants peace. But his discovery of his deceased brother’s child in a Montmartre hovel leads to a battle of wills with the lovely but evasive American struggling to provide for him. Determined to gain custody of his nephew, Olivier sets out to win the audacious bohemian’s trust with patronage and patience, but her courage, wisdom, and innocent sensuality divert his agenda.

Painter Jeanne Delancy has good reason to despise the portrait-worthy count before she ever meets him. She believes he’s the man who seduced and deserted her friend long ago. Unfortunately, the talented and persuasive Olivier is hard to dislike or resist in person.

Conflicted by loyalty to her missing friend and her duty to the abandoned six-year-old she’s vowed to protect, Jeanne feels obligated to give the war hero the opportunity to prove he’s worthy of knowing his son. But the independent woman who thinks herself immune to temptation underestimates Olivier in many ways and reveals far more than she ever anticipates. While the strong-willed opposites struggle to reconcile their deepest longings, dangerous alliances and scandalous secrets threaten a tragic repetition of history.

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www.bessgreenfield.com

I figured since I was heading west to cowboy country in Wyoming, I should try and honour the trip with some kind of suitable recipe. I failed. But, as you read this I will be jetting from Toronto to Denver then in a car for the 2 1/2 hour drive to Laramie. I’ll be carpooling with another women, also heading West. So, I hope you enjoy this recipe and make sure to check back a my blog for updates on this amazing trip.

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Broccoli Salad

2 bunches broccoli florets – bite size

1 lb bacon cooked and crumbled

2 cups shredded cheese

1/2 cup dried cranberries

Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip

1/2 cup sugar

4 tbs vinegar

Mix dressing ingredients together and pour over broccoli mixture

Jenna takes a big risk and decides to live in the moment. After months of communication by social media, she accepts an invitation to Colorado where she finally meets her cowboy. Burned by past romances, Jenna is determined to move on and goes with one goal in mind—a booty call with a tall, dark, sexy cowboy.

Chet is a romantic at heart and when Jenna arrives, he knows there’s more to her than a pretty face and a hot body. A casual fling won’t do. He’s smitten and decides to woo her the old-fashioned way with time and patience. And of course, hot sex.

Their chemistry is elemental and they come together with heat that sears the snowy peaks. When Mother Nature steps in, Jenna is forced to face the feelings she’s tried so hard to keep buried and Chet has to draw on his mountain skills to save the woman he has come to love.

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www.cristalryder.com

https://www.facebook.com/cristal.ryderauthor